Exclusive: Thomas Newman to compose 'Skyfall' score

MI6 understands that American composer Thomas Newman will be scoring the new James Bond film, "Skyfall", due out later this year. It will be his first 007 adventure.

Newman has been a long time collaborator with "Skyfall" helmer Sam Mendes, having scored four of the directors other films: "American Beauty" (1999), "Road to Perdition" (2002) [which also starred Daniel Craig], "Jarhead" (2005) and "Revolutionary Road" (2008).

Born in Los Anegles on 20th October 1955, Newman has scored over fifty feature films in a career which spans nearly three decades. He has received a total of ten Academy Award nominations, although as of 2011, he has yet to win the award. He has won a BAFTA, two Grammys and an Emmy, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe. Newman was also honored with the Richard Kirk award at the 2000 BMI Film and TV Awards.

His latest work includes films "The Adjustment Bureau", "The Help" and "The Iron Lady".

Regular series composer David Arnold, who has scored five James Bond entries from "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997) through to "Quantum of Solace" (2008) will be busy in 2012 as he is the London Olympics musical director. Arnold took over the mantle of resident composer from John Barry and took the essential elements of Bond and updated them for the 90s by incorporating driving rock rhythms and the use of modern technology in the production.